Osteo-Malacia. 223 



6.53. Osteo-malacian Pelvis. — Plaster cast of a pelvis, along 

 with the lumbar vertebrae and upper ends of the femora, 

 showing the above. 



"Elizabeth Thomson, aged 32, was the mother of three children. 

 Her first labour was natural, and the child born alive. She soon became 

 affected with symptoms of malacosteon, and two years from this labour, 

 required, in her second confinement, the use of the crotchet. In her 

 third labour, which happened in June 1779, she submitted to the 

 Cesarean section, which was performed by Thomas Wood, Manchester. 

 The child was alive, and the mother survived the operation seventy-six 

 hours." (For the case see Mem. Medical Society of London, vol. v.) 



The spine has been bent to the left, and the vertebrae are 

 rotated in the usual way. The pelvis is compressed laterally in 

 front, and the lumbar vertebrae project into its brim. The alae 

 of the ilium are crushed forward. The pubic arch is greatly 

 compressed, and the lower piece of the sacrum and the coccyx 

 are flattened towards the upper part of the sacrum. This is a 

 good example of the " beaked " or osteo-malacian pelvis. 



G. C. 1475. 



Presented by T. Radfokd, Esq., through W. Campbell, F.R.C.S.E. 



6. 54. Osteo-malacia of the Femur.— Portion of the lower end 

 of the left femur of an adult — in spirit, showing the above. 



James Stevenson, shoemaker, aged 33, enjoyed good health until 

 about 1766, when he was seized with violent pains in the knees and feet. 

 Severe headaches also came on at irregular periods. These pains were 

 supposed to be rheumatic. He shortly afterwards injured his shoulder, 

 and was unable to move it for several montlis. In November 1768 

 he slipped in his shop, and fancied that he had sprained his right thigh. 

 He was unable to walk without the aid of a stick and a helping arm. In 

 December of same year, when being helped upstairs, he struck the toe of 

 his right foot upon the edge of the step, and cried out that his thigh was 

 broken. He was confined to bed with gieat pain, and the leg remained 

 much crooked and shortened. The condition was diagnosed to be fracture. 

 After the use of splints for about five weeks, during which time the pain 

 continued, an examination was made, and the tibia and femur, at 

 the seat of fracture, gave way again, when the limb was being gently 

 handled. The tibia was felt to be soft, and an incision was made over it. 

 The bone was found to have about the consistency of a rind of cheese, and 

 in the inside, Mr Thomson reports — " I found a dusky red or liver-coloured 

 flesh, occupying the whole internal part of the bone, devoid of sensibility, 



